The novel Remembering Babylon is a reflection of ideological concerns of the author David Malouf. Identify these and consider how they are reflected within the text

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Introduction

﻿Student Number: 186 784 81 Remembering Babylon Extended Essay ?The novel Remembering Babylon is a reflection of ideological concerns of the author David Malouf. Identify these and consider how they are reflected within the text.? The post-colonial novel Remembering Babylon by David Malouf presents us of the unnamed Queensland settlement in the 1840?s whereby, Gemmy, an English castaway rescued by Aborigines, make a sudden contact with the settlement which arises conflicts among the settlers reflecting the ideological concerns of Malouf[1]. He offers a pessimistic reading of the colonial project through the attitudes of the settlers such as the need to maintain their connection to Europe, having colonial dominance, refusal to understand the harsh beauty of the Australian landscape and having fears of the unknown. Through the analysis of portrayal of characters, imagery and symbolism, the ideological concerns mentioned above are reflected successfully in the text. Throughout the text, Malouf expresses many colonial mentalities, one of which is the settlers? strong desires to maintain their Eurocentric ideals in Australia. This ideological concern is reflected among Ellen McIvor, who often reminisces over her past in Scotland- ?she clung to every detail.? Her values transfer to her eldest daughter Janet, who although has never been to Scotland but is still ?sacred to her, [it was] her home [too].? Through this, Malouf reflects his concern on how Australia never had its own distinctive identity as the older generations (the immigrants) ...read more.

Middle

his authority with his own language by saying ?Just steik your mooth.? Through asserting his power, he prevents Gemmy to continue in his ?lingo?, which ?would show him how weak [the settlers] were and get advantage of them.? Lachlan further asserts his authority on Gemmy after their encounter as ?taking him as a prisoner? thus further heightening Malouf?s ideological concern of white dominance over the seemingly black person. On the contrary, this attitude of dominating the land and the natives in order to recreate Britain is rejected by Mr. Frazer, the settlement?s priest. Through the characterization of the Mr. Frazer, Malouf reflects his ideology of cultural acceptance and harmony between the white settlers and the native people. It seems that Malouf is echoing his beliefs on culture through Mr. Frazer. He accepts that ?we have been wrong to see this country as hostile and infelicitous?when it is already hospitable.? As reflected in his ?field notebook?, Mr. Frazer firmly believes in the settlers adapting to the land rather than to dominate and destroy the land ?by stripping it?of every last vestige of the native.? Mr. Frazer questions the arrogance of the settlers who refuse to recognize with their ?English eyes? how ?in a blessed nature, fruit was around them? yet they still import ?sheep and cattle to reinforce their European heritage?. From Mr. ...read more.

Conclusion

Furthermore, Jock feels pressured to maintain his ?breadwinner? role because of the ?uncomprehending disappointment of promising [Ellen] so much yet providing so little.? In addition, Ellen feels ashamed of the poverty existing in them as it resulted in the deaths of two of her children hence feeling as a failure as a mother. Personal shame is again reflected upon George Abbot for not having lived up to his rich benefactor, Cousin Alisdair?s expectations of being ?charming with a fresh look of a winner?, hence resulting in a ?fatal disappointment?. George Abbot?s shame is them displaced as hid attempts to maintain his Eurocentric connection and also as rage at students by caning them. In addition, his self-loathing links back to his wishes on going to Africa, ?the Dark Continent? where he believed ?would have brought out the man in him?. This shameful attitude towards Australia is reflected among the relationship between Janet and her cousin, Scottish immigrant, Lachlan when they were young. Lachlan would often boast of his ?home in Scotland when everyone knew his family could barely feed him? and had ?no interest in the bush?, making it seem as if ?poverty was in Janet.? ________________ [1]Remembering Babylon discussion http://www.randomhouse.com/acmart/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780679749516&view=printrg [2] Mr Derby?s 3A Literature Class http://derbylit3ab.wordpress.com/2010/03/03/characterisation-in-remembering-babylon/ [3] Bookrags ?Objects and Places in Remembering Babylon? http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-remembering-babylon/objectsplaces.html ...read more.

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